Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the detection of egg yolk in albumen, for example, but not exclusively, at least one yolk spot, comprising, —breaking an egg, —separating albumen and yolk, —collecting albumen and yolk separately in a yolk cup and in an albumen cup, —imaging of the albumen cup substantially from above with a camera, whereby an albumen image is obtained, and —imaging, substantially from above, of the yolk cup, having yolk area Ay, a preselected subarea Py, whereby a yolk image in a preselected color system Sy is obtained.

Abstract: A self laminating wristband separable from a multi-ply page form has a plurality of separated imaging areas, with one larger imaging area for receiving printed data corresponding to the wearer such as his name, i.d. number, etc., with one or more second imaging areas adapted to receive either printed information or markers which may be adhered thereto. The separated imaging areas are aligned along the length of the wristband so that the gap between them acts as a natural hinge point which allows the imaging areas to lie flatter against the wearer's wrist.

Abstract: An optical security label for security and anti-counterfeit applications comprises a first layer having an optically variable portion (diffractive, holographic or interference film) generating an optically variable effect secured to a support layer by a weak adhesive layer such that the first layer can be scratched off the third support layer to reveal underlying data and the label is affixed to a substrate by a pressure sensitive adhesive. The label or substrate carry the data to be protected such a printed or personalized paper or plastic substrate. In one aspect the scratch off region is patterned and also the data can comprise a pattern of alternate scratch off and permanent areas. In one aspect the label is a thin frangible structure delivered to the substrate with a weakly bound top carrier. In another aspect the optical variable device includes a covert image authenticated by a decoder carried on the top of the removable carrier.

Abstract: Forms containing a removable hang tag are disclosed. An example form includes a substrate including a first line of weakness defining a central area and a perimeter area. The form includes a second line of weakness in the central area to divide the central area into a first side and a second side. The form includes a third line of weakness formed in the perimeter area to define a sleeve area. The form includes a fourth line of weakness formed in the sleeve area to divide the sleeve area into a first sleeve layer and a second sleeve layer.

Abstract: A printed article is disclosed having a light transmissive substrate having a reverse printed region on a surface thereof in the form of a plurality of very closely spaced printed lines or regions. The printed regions and spaces therebetween are subsequently flood coated with special effect ink such as optically variable ink wherein the ink particle size is on average greater than the gap between reverse printed regions. The image is viewed from the non-printed side of the substrate and very fine lines of the special effect flood coated special effect ink appear as very clear sharp lines having a fine resolution. This eliminates the typical jagged edges that would otherwise be seen if the inked region was not present. This effect is due to the first printed inked regions or lines forming a mask through which the flood coated ink is seen.

Abstract: A printer processible business form includes a separable wristband formed with a multi-layer, reinforced central panel or imaging area with a pair of straps extending to the sides thereof. The multi-ply wristband may be formed with a single die cut solely in the top ply of a two ply business form which is folded over after having been separated to thereby fashion the multi-ply print or image area. Alternatively, the multi-ply wristband may be formed with a first die cut in the top ply as before, but with a second die cut in a bottom or backer ply to form a backing or reinforcing panel which is adhered to the wristband and when separated thereby forms a multi-ply print area. In another alternative embodiment, the backer panel may be added to the first embodiment so that the panel or image area has three or even four layers of material to provide maximum reinforcement.

Abstract: A label assembly that includes a face sheet with a label shape defined by one or more tearable lines of separation, a back sheet adjacent to the face sheet, and an adhesive material disposed between the face sheet and the back sheet. The back sheet includes at least one removable panel disposed over at least a portion of the label shape and including a grasp tab extending from the first removable panel into contact with a remaining portion of the back sheet or an edge of the label assembly. The label assembly also includes a registration structure for use in aligning and adhering the label shape to the object to be labeled.

Abstract: An anti-counterfeiting method assigns a product code to a product, and reproduces the product code on the product. The reproduced product code has at least an overt code and a covert code. At normal conditions, the overt code is visible but the covert code is concealed from viewing by a concealment means such as a scratch-off material. A consumer is allowed to conditionally remove the concealment means to reveal the covert code, and send the overt code and the revealed covert code to a verification center to verify the authenticity of the product. At least the complete product code is large enough to identify the product, while the covert code is just large enough to discourage counterfeiting yet at the same time small enough to make it easy for the consumer to uncover.

Abstract: An adhesive sheet applicable to a delivery slip and the like includes a first sheet having a first sheet base of which both surfaces are formed as printable surfaces; and a second sheet having a second sheet base of which one surface is formed as a printable surface, while the other surface is sequentially laminated with a pseudo-adhesive layer, and an adhesive layer, and the adhesive layer is formed as a printable surface of mirror letters. In the first sheet, a predetermined area of the printable surface is laminated with a release agent layer, and the release agent layer is overlapped with the adhesive layer so as to be opposing thereto. And then, by sticking the adhesive layer of the second sheet exposed outside the exterior edge of the first sheet to the adherend, the first sheet can be held with print letters concealed.

Abstract: The invention relates to reflective and non-reflective features formed from multiple inks. In one embodiment, the printed feature comprises a substrate having a first region and a second region, the first and second regions having different surface characteristics; a first printed element disposed on the first region; and a second printed element disposed on the second region, wherein the first printed element is more adherent than the second printed element to the first region. In another embodiment, the printed feature comprises multiple layers formed from different inks exhibiting enhanced durability. The invention is also to processes for forming these features, preferably through a direct write printing process.

Abstract: The invention concerns a security document (1) comprising a transparent window (12) in which a first optical element (15) is arranged and a second transparent window (13) in which a second optical element (16) is arranged. The first transparent window (12) and the second transparent window (13) are arranged on a carrier (11) of the security document (1) in mutually spaced relationship in such a way that the first and the second optical elements (15, 16) can be brought into overlapping relationship with each other. The first optical element (15) has a first transmissive microlens field and the second optical element (16) has a second transmissive microlens field, wherein a first optical effect is produced upon overlap of the second microlens field with the first microlens field.

Abstract: An article bears an HVS-perceivable security pattern based on metamerism. The metamerism causes the security pattern to be perceived differently when viewed under two different light sources.

Abstract: A multi-layer label with variable data and method for its manufacture. First indicia is printed on a first label face ply of a multi-ply label material in registration with an eventual location of at least one of a plurality of multi-layer labels. The first indicia may be variable between at least two of the plurality of multi-layer labels. A second label material is removably adhered to the multi-ply first label material, thereby covering the first indicia. Second indicia is printed on the face of the second label material.

Abstract: A label is provided having three parts separated by separation lines. Two of the three parts have pull tabs to allow them to be easily removed. The third part is a narrow strip between the separation lines that does not have a pull tab. When the label parts that have pull tabs are lifted off a product, the label separates at the separation lines, leaving the third narrow strip on the product. This narrow strip is then removed with a scraping action that tends to destroy the narrow strip. This makes it difficult to reconstruct the label after it has been removed from a product. In other embodiments, the label has two parts made of material that stretches when the parts are removed from a product. The stretching distorts a barcode graphic printed on the label making the barcode unreadable.

Abstract: A method of preparing documents for the transmission of secure information comprises the steps of preparing a first laminar element (13; 37) with a peripheral region (15) separable from a central region (14), printing the secure information on the central region (14) of the first laminar element (13; 37), or on a central region (19) of a second laminar element (12; 36), positioning the two laminar elements (13; 37, 12; 36) in face-to-face relation, with the face of the element bearing the information facing the said other element, and securing the element together around the peripheral regions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data carrier having a security element that is at lest visually testable and has an embossing in at least a partial area, the embossing being a halftone blind embossing executed by inkless line intaglio printing, and to a method for producing the data carrier and a printing plate for blind-embossing a security element.

Abstract: An advertising device includes an envelope having a front panel and a back panel, the front panel including an envelope window dimensioned to reveal first advertising information on an interior wall of the back panel. A slider is slidably disposed in the envelope and has a slider window that is dimensioned to reveal only a portion of the first advertising information depending upon its position in the envelope. The slider is moveable by a user of the advertising device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an information carrying device for an electronic portable device, comprising at least one compartment, which is accessible through an opening of the terminal, and a label, which is accessible through the terminal opening and movably connected to the terminal for movement between a storing position and a reading position and arranged externally of the compartment; a method for manufacturing the information carrying device in one operation, and an electronic portable device comprising the information carrying device

Abstract: A countdown or advent type calendar for a selected time interval includes the concurrent provision of a text message and completion or modification of a pictorial design during the sequential indication of the date during the countdown.

Abstract: A device for communicating a hotel guest's instructions to hotel housekeeping services, and method for such is provided. The communication device provides a means for the guest to indicate whether or not to clean the room or other like instructions or commands. Additionally, the guest can indicate which actions are desired in the room, such as change the bed sheets or change the towels.

Abstract: A combination greeting card carrier and scanable card is provided which permits the scanable card to be pivoted between an initial position where the scanable card is displayed and has a scanable area thereon extending from the perimeter of the card in a first position and a second position where the scanable card is concealed. A hinge member pivotally connects the scanable card to the greeting card carrier. The greeting card carrier may include a recess in a front panel thereof to permit the scanable card to lay flat in its initial presentation. The greeting card carrier may include indicia conveying a preprinted desired sentiment which corresponds to the goods or services made available to the recipient when using the scanable card.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-adhesive label (1), designed to be adhered to and around a container by means of a self-adhesive layer (9′) on the back (9) of the label. This layer is protected up to the time of its use by the use of a release film having a smooth contact layer. The label is fastened to the substrate starting with one of its ends (2), which on its outer side (10) is provided with a release area (11), obtained by printing a layer thereon. The central portion (3) of the label is provided with a text or the like printed thereon. The layer has a larger length than the circumferential dimension of the container and will consequently with its other end (4) overlap said one end and be fastened to it by said self-adhesive layer. Said other end has sections (5, 6), which can be torn off and are separated from each other by perforations (7, 8), to be attached to an injection device or the like.

Abstract: Confidential information is printed on an upper transparent laminate. A scrambling pattern is associated with a lower laminate. The upper surface of the lower laminate and the lower surface of the upper laminate are complementary in shape such that the upper laminate appears transparent, but alters to appear translucent when separated from the lower laminate. This provides a tamper-evident mechanism for indicating separation of the laminates.

Abstract: A tamper-evident form for securely carrying information includes a scrambling pattern (4) which underlies the printed information such that the printed information cannot be read. Separation of the printed information and scrambling pattern, or other disabling of the scrambling pattern, is tamper-evident and renders the information readable. In preferred embodiments the information is printed on a lamina (6) which overlies the scrambling pattern (4). The information can be printed by conventional printers and no post-processing of the form is required to render the information secure.

Abstract: A business card assembly having a standard wallet-sized card with top and bottom surfaces. Business card identification information is printed on the top surface. Two or more adhesive-backed removable labels are secured to the bottom surface of the business card, and each of these labels has the business card identification information printed on it. The labels may be peeled off and placed, for example, in one's personal planner, file, or other convenient location. The card may be a traditional flat style, or a tent style. The card may also include a release liner beneath the removable labels, the release liner also optionally including additional printed information.

Abstract: A mailing envelope with a plurality of inserts is made by imaging variable color indicia on both faces of a paper substrate and imaging sense marks, and reply indicia, on at least one face of the substrate. The sense marks are used to properly align and slit the substrate web into a web of pre-determined width (removing the sense marks), and then label portions are flexographically printed on the first face of the web with magnetic ink. Adhesive and a release liner (e.g. using transfer tape) are applied to the second face of the web at the label portions and the labels are die cut from the label portions. The web is cut into sheets of predetermined length, each sheet including at least one set of labels, and the sheet is buckle folded to form a folded sheet with a plurality of panels in the sheet, at least one panel having a set of labels.

Abstract: To improve the security in data carriers, such as papers of value, bank notes, ID cards, etc., a numbering apparatus is proposed for individualizing the data carrier whereby the characters are engraved in the engraved blocks present on the numbering apparatus such that the serial number extends along a line having a curvature.

Abstract: A coupon catalogue comprising a pack of equal sized cards which is readily concealable and carried on the person in a clothing pocket or a purse or a wallet, which can be fanned to expose all of the cards in the pack for simultaneous viewing, and which can be utilized to obtain complimentary goods and services without requiring that portions of the catalogue be torn, punched, marked, or located by using a table of contents in the coupon catalogue.

Abstract: A security device comprises a substrate (1) having a viewing region (3) which is provided on one side with first indicia (7) and on the other side with second indicia (9) overlying the first indicia. The substrate carries an obscuring material (10) aligned with the second indicia (9) so as to prevent at least the second indicia from being viewed from the one side of the substrate under reflected radiation. The substrate is sufficiently transparent while the obscuring material permits the passage of sufficient transmitted radiation to allow the second indicia (9) to be viewed from the one side of the substrate under transmission conditions.

Abstract: A promotional gaming device for beverage cans which includes ink jet printed indicia of winning status on an exterior surface of the can and an opaque removable material covering the printing. The opaque material may be scratched off or peeled off the reveal the prize indicia.

Abstract: An interactive coordinated book assembly, comprising a plurality of pages, which are bound along an edge to form a book. Each page contains textual material, key indicia and an activity area. Each activity area contains instructions for conducting an activity. The activity is coordinated with the key indicia appearing on a simultaneously visible one of the plurality of pages. The key indicia can be any device capable of visually or tactilely distinguishing a portion of the text, allowing it to be associated with the activity. The key indicia are preferably selected from a group consisting of a word, a phrase, a sentence, a symbol, an object, a font, highlighting, an icon, and a color code in the textual material and are visually distinguishable from the surrounding textual material on the pages. The activity area typically, but not necessarily, contains pictorial material that is related to the activity, which is described in the activity area.

Abstract: Sheets used to indicate when tampering has occurred are described. Such sheets are composed of envelopes with generally thin cross sections containing compressed resilient cores which expand upon envelope breach. Expansion of the resilient core results in an obvious visual change to all or some of the envelope surfaces. Such envelopes may also contain a translucent liquid which greatly aids in amplifying the visual changes such envelopes may exhibit. Embodiments may take the form of applied labels, adhesive tape, wrapping paper, mail envelopes, bottle caps, document enclosures, blister packs, etc. Applications include not only signaling tampering but decorative and other applications as well. Processes for fabrication of embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An enhanced children's book includes a plurality of pages bound between covers along a spine. At least one of the pages includes a recto sheet, a verso sheet, and an inner member. The recto and verso sheets are adhered together to define an inner space in which the inner member is slidably received. The recto and verso sheets are cut to define a bound portion and a movable portion of the page. The inner member is rotatably attached to the bound portion of the page, and the movable portion is rotatably attached to the inner member. The movable portion is rotatable between a normal position in which the page is normally configured and an extended position in which a portion of the inner member is exposed. The inner member is rotatable between a normal position in which a minimal portion of the inner member is exposed and an extended position in which a maximal portion of the inner member is exposed.

Abstract: A flip book for displaying electrical connection data for consumer electronic equipment on an arrangement of side-by-side panels includes nine FROM panels each of which is arranged with connection information for three different hook up options. Additionally included are eleven TO panels each of which is arranged with connection information for a corresponding item of consumer electronic equipment. The nine FROM panels are arranged on the left side of the flip book and each includes a tab portion identifying the corresponding item of consumer electronic equipment. The eleven TO panels are positioned on the right hand side of the flip book and include a tab portion identifying the corresponding item of consumer electronic equipment. A spiral binder allows the user to easily select the desired item of equipment by selecting the tab portion and flipping over any covering panels.

Abstract: A security improved credit, debit, pass, or cash card is a colorless and transparent semirigid plastic card member with non reflective faces, with no permanent imprinting on the card member to visually identify an issuer, an owner or a card number, but with temporary identification that can be removed by the owner of the card and can be visually read only when backed by an opaque sheet. The card has a bending line across a face of the card member that is a slit through the card with a hinge of flexible plastic film attached over the slit. The card has an opening cut through the card member to allow a person's finger nail to engage the opening to pull the card from a wallet or to attach the card on a shirt button.

Abstract: A credit/service card with expanded surface area comprises a first card member, a second card member and a hinge connecting the two card members. The credit/service card also comprises a fastener for holding the first and second card member together when the credit/service card is in the closed position.

Abstract: A separable safety credit card which contains multiple account numbers and is mechanically detachable into two component parts whereby that part upon which is embossed the credit account numbers may be separately carried from the individual identification part thereof for purposes of safety and security so that if either component is lost or stolen the card may not be used by another in the making of unauthorized transactions.

Abstract: A credit/service card with expanded surface area comprises a first card member, a second card member and a hinge connecting the two card members. The credit/service card also comprises a fastener for holding the first and second card member together when the credit/service card is in the closed position.

Abstract: A group of cards containing printed information on one or more selected topics and interconnected to form a deck of such cards. The deck may include a title card bearing indicia denoting a particular topic of information on other cards in the deck, and also may include one or more cards containing general information on the topic, as well as subject cards containing information on one or more specific items relating to the topic. The subject cards include indicia, preferably along a marginal portion of the card, denoting the particular subject for which that card, or the facing surface of the card, contains information. Cards for a deck are laid out with only front sides of the cards printed on the front surface of card stock and only back sides of the cards printed on the back surface of the card stock, so that all cards making up the deck bow in the same direction and no unsightly split appears in the deck.

Abstract: A multiple ply label assembly intended to be removably adhered to the surface of a sheet (e.g. a sheet of paper stationery) to be printed upon. A printer apparatus (e.g. computer printer or typewriter) is then controlled to concurrently print onto both the sheet surface and label assembly in the same operation. The removably adhered label assembly can then be removed from the sheet without leaving any discernible residue thereon and a label portion of the label assembly can be separated therefrom and affixed to an end use sheet (e.g. an envelope for mailing).

Abstract: An information bearing assembly comprises at least two cards each bearing informational indicia on both their front and rear faces. The cards are pivoted together via a pivot connection between the center of the lower edge of the first card and the center of the upper edge of the second card, so that they can be swiveled between a storage position in which they overlap in face to face engagement, and an open position in which the second card is swiveled down relative to the first card until the opposite side edges are aligned and the information carried on the cards forms a continuous vertical column or sequence on both faces of the resultant assembly.

Abstract: An airline luggage tag and jacket therefor and method wherein a central claim check is removable leaving a generally U-shaped remainder, this U-shaped remainder having arm portions that are equipped with slits for capturing the remainder of the tag when the tag is looped around the handle of a piece of luggage, the check having transversely extending ears for insertion into slits in the jacket.

Abstract: The present invention enables visualizing, identifying and ordering speed reduction gearing configurations, particularly enclosed worm gear configurations, by a system comprising a mechanical display and a digital computer, which cooperate in a novel manner. The mechanical display includes sequences of adjustable slide media, each having at least a stationary base component and a rotatable disk component of sufficiently large size for convenient visual and manual access. The digital computer includes a host computer and a plurality of dedicated terminals that communicate with the host computer through telephone lines. Each of the terminals contains a programmed read only memory which guides the terminal user, through a sequence of inquiries, to automatically telephone the host computer, to transmit input data from the mechanical display to the host computer, and to display the result data received from the host computer for confirmation or rejection by the user.

Abstract: This relates to an identification system for authenticating labels and cards. Each label or card would be provided with authenticating characters which are printed in color and which are at least in part in overlapping relation so as to make it difficult to identify the individual characters by eye. However, when a pair of overlapping characters is viewed through a colored filter, depending upon the color of the filter, one or other of the two superimposed characters would appear. By providing the authenticating characters in a preselected arrangement and utilizing colored filter segments in a similar preselected arrangement, only those authenticating characters which form part of the authenticating information would appear.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the disclosure of medical test results or other medical or personal information, with features to maintain the security of the physician-patient relationship. An elongated card having a center portion and opposite, separable wing portions is supplied to the testing physician with patient information encoded on the center section. The physician records the pertinent medical information or test results by severing one of the wing portions to indicate the appropriate information by the presence of the remaining wing portion.

Abstract: Secure placement of confidential information on tickets distributed in blank is permitted by opaquely overlaying an area of the ticket upon which the information is to be placed in visible form and employing a printing apparatus that prints the visible information on the ticket area through the opaque overlay without leaving any easily-discernible trace in the overlay that reveals the imprinted information. A ticket can be given in blank to a ticket holder. Then, when the ticket holder makes an exchange in order to receive the information, the information can be placed on the ticket, with the opaque overlay concealing the information until selectively removed by the ticket holder.

Abstract: A credit card carbon copy defacer in the form of a unitary device of relatively thin, stiff material, such as plastic or metal, having a first generally rectangular flat base portion dimensioned to fit in a billfold or shirt pocket of a user and an integrally, generally rectangular, flat portion folded along one edge of the base portion to extend generally parallel to and spaced slightly from the base portion so that a carbon paper may be received between the flat portion and the base portion, the base portion having one or more openings therein and the flat portion having protrusions in alignment with the openings so that when a carbon paper is positioned between the base portion and the flat portion and the portions manually pressed together, the part of the carbon paper at the openings is defaced.

Abstract: An instant-game-type lottery ticket comprises a card having a coating on the front side thereof which includes a first metallic layer and an outwardly facing layer of thermally responsive chemicals, a removable opaque layer over at least a portion of the thermally responsive chemical layer and a second metallic layer on the back side of the card. The metallic layers preferably comprise vacuum deposited silver-colored metallized layers having protective transparent plastic films thereon. Game-playing indicia can be imprinted on the lottery ticket at the point of sale without damaging the removable opaque layer by selectively activating the thermally responsive chemicals under the removable opaque layer with a thermal printhead. The transparent plastic films allow the card to be thermally imprinted with a thermal printhead without damaging the printhead and the metallized layers add opacity to the lottery ticket.

Abstract: The authorization card has one or more storing zones for storing a predetermined information defining the type and/or extent of authorization, for example credit information in case of a credit card, and at least one storing zone for storing variable information associated with the owner of the card. These storing zones are adapted for automatic reading of the fixed and variable information in an automatic reading device. The authorization card has means for generating a coded information to be compared with the variable information. This coded information is manually adjusted on the authorization card by its user and is also adapted for automatic reading by the automatic reading device. Manual adjustment of the coded information is facilitated by a scale provided on the authorization card.

Abstract: The invention teaches means for detecting unauthorized tampering or substitutions of a device, and has particular utility when applied on a "seal" device used to secure a location or thing. The seal has a transparent body wall, and a first indicia, viz., a label identification is formed on the inside surface of this wall. Second and third indicia are formed on the outside surface of the transparent wall, and each of these indicia is transparent to allow the parallax angled viewing of the first indicia through these indicia. The second indicia is in the form of a broadly uniform pattern, viz, many small spaced dots; while the third indicia is in the form of easily memorized objects, such as human faces, made on a substrate by means of halftone printing. The substrate is lapped over the outside surface of the transparent wall.